LONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD • #1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A “powerful” ( The Guardian ) reflection on basketball, life, and home—from the author of the National Book Award finalist A Little Devil in America “Mesmerizing . . .

not only the most original sports book I’ve ever read but one of the most moving books I’ve ever read, period.”—Steve James, director of Hoop Dreams Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, in the 1990s, Hanif Abdurraqib witnessed a golden era of basketball, one in which legends like LeBron James were forged and countless others weren’t. His lifelong love of the game leads Abdurraqib into a lyrical, historical, and emotionally rich exploration of what it means to make it, who we think deserves success, the tension between excellence and expectation, and the very notion of role models, all of which he expertly weaves together with intimate, personal storytelling. “Here is where I would like to tell you about the form on my father’s jump shot,” Abdurraqib writes.

“The truth, though, is that I saw my father shoot a basketball only one time.” There’s Always This Year is a triumph, brimming with joy, pain, solidarity, comfort, outrage, and hope. No matter the subject of his keen focus—whether it’s basketball, or music, or performance—Hanif Abdurraqib’s exquisite writing is always poetry, always profound, and always a clarion call to radically reimagine how we think about our culture, our country, and ourselves.

In the compelling narrative of "There's Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension," readers are invited into a world where the basketball court serves as both battlefield and sanctuary. Through vivid storytelling, the book captures the intricate dance between ambition and self-reflection, portraying how the game can mirror life's most profound lessons. This journey is not just about the wins and the losses but about the player’s internal evolution as they navigate the challenges, triumphs, and realizations of their own potential.

As basketball becomes a metaphor for the pursuit of something greater, this story offers a unique perspective on the endless possibilities that lie within the human spirit.

The basketball court is a microcosm of life's challenges reflecting personal growth and resilience. On-court struggles often parallel internal conflicts leading to self-discovery and transformation. Passion transcends the game inspiring players to reach beyond their perceived limits.

Within the pages of "There\'s Always This Year the basketball court emerges as an arena for personal growth and discovery. The protagonist embodies both a love for the game and a yearning for something profound. Every dribble and shot taken is imbued with a deeper significance.

Through the highs and lows of competition the book delves into the emotional and psychological forces that drive us. It explores our intrinsic desire to transcend limitations and reach new heights. Basketball becomes not just a sport but a language of aspiration and transformation.

Each character's journey is intricately woven into the fabric of the sport revealing their battles off the court and the lessons learned in the process. The narrative is a compelling reflection on how we all strive for greatness. The book challenges readers to perceive basketball as a conduit for personal redemption and ascension.

It encourages them to identify their struggles and victories within their own lives forging connections beyond the game. Ultimately There\'s Always This Year" inspires its audience to discover newfound potential nurturing the belief in the power of persistency and dedication on this evolving journey of self-ascension.

The book's metaphorical use of basketball as a lens to examine life's deeper questions sets it apart from traditional sports literature It navigates the intricate relationship between the individual and the game The narrative is steeped in authenticity driven by profound personal insights and honest storytelling Readers are not just spectators of a sport but are involved in an intimate exploration of one's internal struggles and triumphs By blending the universal themes of passion ambition and redemption with the specifics of the basketball world the book appeals to both sports enthusiasts and anyone on a journey of personal growth This makes it a unique offering in a crowded genre.